Electronic device including keypad with keys having a ridged surface profile

ABSTRACT

According to one aspect, a portable electronic device having a base portion having a keypad, and a sliding portion. The sliding portion is coupled to the base portion and slideable relative thereto between a closed position wherein the keypad is covered by the sliding portion, and an open position wherein the keypad is exposed. The keypad includes a plurality of keys, at least some of the plurality of keys having a ridge that extends upwardly from the top surface of the key. Each ridge extends between a lower edge of the key and an upper edge of the key and is curved therebetween. Each ridge is offset from a midline of each key.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application claims priority to and is a continuation ofnon-provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/578,937, filed Aug.14, 2012, which is a national phase entry of PCT/IB11/000110, filed Jan.25, 2011, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application No.61/304,576, filed Feb. 15, 2010, all of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to portable electronic devices, and inparticular to portable electronic devices having a sliding portion andbase portion movable between an open position and a closed position, andincluding a keypad with keys that have a surface profile with a ridge.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices, including portable electronic devices, have gainedwidespread use and may provide a variety of functions including, forexample, telephonic, electronic text messaging and other personalinformation manager (PIM) application functions. Portable electronicdevices can include several types of devices including mobile stationssuch as simple cellular phones, smart phones, Personal DigitalAssistants (PDAs), tablets and laptop computers.

Devices such as PDAs or smart phones are generally intended for handhelduse and ease of portability. Smaller devices are generally desirable forportability. Touch-sensitive devices constructed of a display, such as aliquid crystal display (LCD), with a touch-sensitive overlay may beuseful on such handheld devices as such handheld devices tend to besmall and therefore limited in space available for user input and outputdevices. Further, the screen content on the touch-sensitive devices cannormally be modified depending on the functions and operations beingperformed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way ofexample, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of components including internalcomponents of a portable electronic device according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a first side view of a portable electronic device according toone embodiment shown in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the portable electronic device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a second side view of the portable electronic device of FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is a back view of the portable electronic device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a first side view of the portable electronic device of FIG. 2shown in an open position;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the portable electronic device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a second side view of the portable electronic device of FIG.6;

FIG. 9 is a back view of the portable electronic device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the portable electronic device of FIG.2;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the portable electronic device of FIG.6 shown in the open position;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the portable electronicdevice of FIG. 6 showing the keypad with keys according to variousembodiments; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a portion of thekeypad of the portable electronic device of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes an electronic device that includes a housing, atouch-sensitive display exposed by a front of the housing, andfunctional components comprising a memory and a processor coupled to thememory and the touch-sensitive display.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated amongthe figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Inaddition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein.However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat the example embodiments described herein may be practiced withoutthese specific details.

In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components havenot been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodimentsdescribed herein. Also, the description is not to be considered aslimited to the scope of the example embodiments described herein.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of components including internalcomponents of a portable electronic device 100 according to someembodiments.

The portable electronic device 100 includes multiple components such asa processor 102 that controls the operations of the portable electronicdevice 100. Communication functions, including data communications,voice communications, or both may be performed through a communicationsubsystem 104. Data received by the portable electronic device 100 maybe decompressed and decrypted by a decoder 106. The communicationsubsystem 104 may receive messages from and send messages to a wirelessnetwork 150.

The wireless network 150 may be any type of wireless network, includingfor example data-centric wireless networks, voice-centric wirelessnetworks, and dual-mode networks that support both voice and datacommunications over the same base stations.

The portable electronic device 100 may be a battery-powered device andas shown may include a battery interface 142 for receiving one or morerechargeable batteries 144.

The processor 102 also interacts with additional subsystems such as aRandom Access Memory (RAM) 108, a flash memory 110, a display 112 with atouch-sensitive overlay 114 connected to an electronic controller 116that together comprise a touch-sensitive display 118, an actuatorassembly 120, one or more optional force sensors 122, an auxiliaryinput/output (I/O) subsystem 124, a data port 126, a speaker 128, amicrophone 130, short-range communications 132 and other devicesubsystems 134.

In some embodiments, user-interaction with the graphical user interfacemay be performed through the touch-sensitive overlay 114. The processor102 may interact with the touch-sensitive overlay 114 via the electroniccontroller 116. Information, such as text, characters, symbols, images,icons, and other items that may be displayed or rendered on the portableelectronic device 100 may be displayed on the touch-sensitive display118 via the processor 102.

The processor 102 may also interact with an accelerometer 136 as shownin FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the accelerometer 136 may include acantilever beam with a proof mass and suitable deflection sensingcircuitry. The accelerometer 136 may be used for detecting direction ofgravitational forces or gravity-induced reaction forces.

To identify a subscriber for network access according to the presentembodiment, the portable electronic device 100 may use a SubscriberIdentity Module or a Removable User Identity Module (SIM/RUIM) card 138inserted into a SIM/RUIM interface 140 for communication with a network(such as the wireless network 150). Alternatively, user identificationinformation may be programmed into the flash memory 110 or performedusing other techniques.

The portable electronic device 100 also includes an operating system 146and software components 148 that are executed by the processor 102 andwhich may be stored in a persistent store such as the flash memory 110.Additional applications may be loaded onto the portable electronicdevice 100 through the wireless network 150, the auxiliary I/O subsystem124, the data port 126, the short-range communications subsystem 132, orother suitable device subsystems 134.

In use, a received signal such as a text message, an e-mail message, orweb page download may be processed by the communication subsystem 104and input to the processor 102. The processor 102 may then process thereceived signal for output to the display 112 or alternatively to theauxiliary I/O subsystem 124. A subscriber may also compose data items,such as e-mail messages, for example, which may be transmitted over thewireless network 150 through the communication subsystem 104.

For voice communications, the overall operation of the portableelectronic device 100 may be similar. The speaker 128 may output audibleinformation converted from electrical signals, and the microphone 130may convert audible information into electrical signals for processing.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 to 11, illustrated generally therein is aportable electronic device 200 according to one embodiment.

The portable electronic device generally includes a sliding portion 202(or upper housing) and a base portion 204 (or rear housing). The slidingportion 202 and lower or base portion 204 are coupled together and areslidable between a closed position (as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 and 10, forexample) and an open position (as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 and 11 forexample).

The sliding portion 202 generally includes a display 206, which could bean LCD display and which may have touch screen capabilities. In someembodiments, the display 206 could be the same as or similar to thedisplay 118 or the display 112 as generally described above.

One or both of the sliding portion 202 and base portion 204 may includeone or more input apparatus, such as navigation keys or buttons, aphysical or virtual keyboard, a trackpad, a trackball, multimedia keys,etc. For example, the sliding portion 202 as shown includes an auxiliaryinput device 212. The auxiliary input device may be an opticalnavigation module (e.g. a trackpad) that responds to user interaction,and which may be used for navigating around the display screen 206, toselect objects on the display screen, or for other purposes.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary input device 212 may be a mechanicaldevice that responds to user interaction (e.g. a trackball).

As shown, the display 206 and the auxiliary input device 212 aregenerally disposed on a front of the sliding portion 202 and may beexposed for user accessibility regardless of whether the portableelectronic device 200 is in the open or closed position.

The sliding portion 202 may also include other input devices, such as adedicated phone application button, a dedicated “disconnect call”button, a home screen button, etc. In various embodiments, these inputdevices may include optical sensors, mechanical buttons, or both.

Turning now to the base portion 204, as shown the base portion 204 mayinclude various buttons and other controls, such as buttons 208 and 210.In some embodiments, buttons 208, 210 could be used for navigation, tocontrol volume or for other purposes. The base portion 204 could alsoinclude one or more application buttons 211 that can be used for exampleto launch a particular application on the portable electronic device(e.g. a camera application, a phone application, etc.). In someembodiments, the one or more buttons 211 may be configurable by a user(e.g. the user may be able to select the particular application launchedby a particular button 211).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the base portion 204 could also include oneor more input or output ports, (e.g. I/O ports), such as a microUSB port214 (and which could be similar to or the same as data port 126). Insome examples, the port 214 may be used for data communication with theportable electronic device 200, for charging of a battery (which couldfor example be battery 144) on the device 200, or for both purposes.

As shown, the base portion 204 may also include a battery cover 216 forcovering the battery (e.g. battery 144, not shown). In some embodiments,the battery cover 216 may be removable. In other embodiments, thebattery cover 216 may be permanently fixed to the device.

In some embodiments, the base portion 204 may also include an audio jack217. The audio jack 217 may be used to couple the portable electronicdevice 200 to a speaker, a microphone, or both, for example for use invoice communication, for listening to music on the portable electronicdevice 200, etc.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 to 9 and 11, as shown when the portableelectronic device 200 is in the open position, a keypad 220 is exposedon a lower portion 218 of the base portion 204. The keypad 220 generallyincludes a plurality of alphanumeric keys 222 for inputting data intoand otherwise controlling the portable electronic device 200. As shown,the keys 222 may be positioned in a plurality of rows and columns Insome embodiments, the keys 222 may represent an alphabet with theparticular letters arranged with a standard keyboard layout (e.g.QWERTY, QWERTZ, DVORAK, etc.) or according to other particular patterns.

When the portable electronic device 200 is in the open position (asshown in FIGS. 6 to 9), the keypad 220 is exposed for useraccessibility.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, when the portable electronic device 200 is inthe closed position, the keypad 220 is generally covered by the slidingportion 202. This may be beneficial as it may protect the keypad 220when the portable electronic device 200 is not in use, and may inhibitundesired keys from being pressed when a user is carrying the portableelectronic device 200 (e.g. in a user's pocket). In some embodiments(e.g. when the display 206 is a touchscreen), the user may be able toperform functions on the portable electronic device 200 when the device200 is closed by interacting with those input devices that areaccessible, for example using buttons 208, 210, 211, the auxiliary inputdevice 212, the display screen 206 itself, etc.

In some embodiments, the display 206 may be a touch-sensitive display.The touch-sensitive display may be a capacitive touch-sensitive display,for example, and a user's touch on the touch-sensitive display may bedetermined by determining an X and Y location of the touch, with the Xlocation determined by a signal generated as a result of capacitivecoupling with a first touch sensor layer and the Y location determinedby the signal generated as a result of capacitive coupling with anothertouch sensor layer.

Each of the touch-sensor layers may provide a signal to a controllerthat represents the respective X and Y touch location values. Thus afeature such as a virtual button or other feature displayed on thetouch-sensitive display may be selected by a mapping of the touchlocation to a feature on the touch-sensitive display.

In some embodiments, the portable electronic device 200 is generallytaller than it is wide. In such embodiments, as the portable electronicdevice 200 moves between the open position and the closed position, thesliding portion 202 and base portion 204 move along a longitudinal axisof the portable electronic device 200.

Turning now to FIGS. 12 and 13 generally, some embodiments disclosedherein relate to the shape of the keys 222 of the keypad 220 of theportable electronic device 200. As used herein, the term “shape of thekeys” generally refers to the surface profile of the keys 222, and theterm “surface profile” refers to the shape or profile of a top surfaceof the keys 222. The term “top surface” of the key generally refers tothe upper surface of the key 222 that is exposed and normally touched oractuated by a user's finger or thumb when depressing a key.

In some embodiments, the keys 222 can also be referred to as “keycaps”herein.

With some previous slider devices, certain key designs could causeinterference with the sliding operation of the device as the height ofthe keys could interfere with the opening and closing of the slidingportion. This may be particularly problematic when a portable electronicdevice is designed to have a thin profile. For example, when the slidingportion is designed to be as close as possible to the base portion, theuse of keys that have a tall or thick profile is undesirable.

It is also not necessarily the case that a user's finger touches theentire top surface of the key when actuating a particular key. Inparticular, the amount of the top surface that is actually touchednormally varies depending on the shape of the top surface of the key, aswell as the shape and size of the user's finger or thumb. In some cases,the amount of the top surface that is touched may depend on how high orlow one or more portions of the top surface of the key are relative toother portions of the key, and how well such portions engage with orreceive the user's finger or thumb.

As discussed above, the slidable portion of a portable electronic devicecan limit the available height of the keys, which in turn can mean thatthere is limited clearance distance available for the rise and fall ofthe touchable surface of the key. Accordingly, in such situations, atraditional key shape with a significant amount of rise and fall may notbe suitable.

In some other slidable devices, in order to maintain device thinness,the keys were designed to be flush or nearly flush with theirsurroundings (e.g. the housing in which the keys are located) with a low“rise” and “fall” (e.g. limited amplitude changes in the surface heightof the key). In such cases, it may be difficult for users of theportable electronic device to get a good “feel” or sense of theindividual key locations with their fingers or thumbs. In particular, itmay be difficult to distinguish one key from another. This can beproblematic and may make typing using a keypad more difficult.

Furthermore, flush keys may not provide proper finger support. Properfinger support can help to prevent a user's fingers from having asignificant amount of pressure overlap on other keys (which may lead toinadvertently pressing the wrong key), or on other surfaces (such as thebounding surface or housing around the keypad) when pressing the keys.In particular, the use of a key having a surface profile that is simplya shallower or flattened version of a traditional key can result in anuncomfortable or undesirable sensation.

Accordingly, one challenge to overcome is to provide a relatively thinkeypad with relatively thin keys without compromising the desiredtactile sensations and generally still providing good tactile keyrecognition.

In general, keys of the portable electronic devices as described hereinmay have varying surface profiles to attempt to address this challenge.As shown in FIG. 13, at least some keys may have a “ridge” 310 or spinethat flares up or extends upwardly from the top surface of each key.

Reference is now made specifically to FIG. 12, which illustrates aperspective view of a portion of the portable electronic device 200. InFIG. 12, the sliding portion 202 is in the open position such thatkeypad 220 with the plurality of keys 222 is shown (along with the topsurface of the keys 222). In various embodiments, the surface profile ofthe top surface of each key 222 includes a ridge 310 with a relativelysharp peak.

Reference is now made to FIG. 13, which illustrates a perspective view(partly in cross-section) of the portable electronic device 200. Thecross-section is taken through a row of keys 222 of keypad 220 such thatthe surface profiles and ridges 310 of those keys 222 are shown moreclearly.

In some embodiments, each key 222 (e.g. a particular keycap 300) has aridge 310. Each ridge 310 is normally disposed to one side of each key222 (e.g. offset away from the midline M of the keycap 300, as shown inFIG. 12) as will be explained in further detail below.

Each ridge 310 generally curves as it extends from one end or edge ofeach key 222 to another edge of that key. For example, as shown eachridge 310 extends from a lower edge of the key 222 (e.g. the edge closerto the bottom portion of the portable electronic device 200) to an upperedge of each key 222 (e.g. the edge closer to the top portion of theportable electronic device 200) generally aligned with the longitudinalaxis of the device 200, and each ridge 310 is curved between the twoedges of the key 222.

In various embodiments, the direction or orientation of the curve of theridges 310 can vary. For example, the direction of curvature of theridge 310 can depend on which side of the keypad 220 the key 222 is on.In particular, as shown in FIG. 12, keys 222 on a left side 220 a of thekeypad 220 may curve outwardly towards the left side of the portableelectronic device 200, while keys 222 on the right side 220 b of thekeypad 220 may curve outwardly towards the right side of the portableelectronic device 200.

In some embodiments, some keys 222 (such as for example a space bar key222 a) can have two ridges 310 a, 310 b on more than one side of the key222.

In some embodiments, the curve of each ridge 310 is selected such thatthe ridge 310 tends to follow the movement of a thumb or finger as thethumb or finger glides or otherwise moves along the key surface of a key222. In particular, the curve of each ridge 310 may be selected tocradle an edge of a thumb or finger as it depresses the key 222. Forexample, in some embodiments a user may engage keys 222 on the left side220 a of the keypad 220 with the thumb from their left hand, and engagekeys 222 on the right side 220 b of the keypad 220 with the thumb fromtheir right hand; the curvature of the ridges 310 can be selectedaccordingly so that the ridges 310 tend to provide a good tactileresponse for the user's left and right thumbs.

In some embodiments, a first dip 320 may be provided adjacent each ridge310 (and at or near the midline M of each key 222). Each first dip 320may have a slightly concave shape and be operable to assist a user'sfinger or thumb to engage against a particular key 222 adjacent theridge 310 of that key.

In some embodiments, next to each dip 320 is a rise 330, which mayinclude a convex portion. The rise 330 may assist the user's fingers andthumbs moving along the surface of each key 222 to be directed towardsthe dip 320.

In some embodiments, adjacent each rise 330 (and generally on the sideof the key opposite the ridge 310), may be a second dip 340 that extendsto the edge of the keycap 300.

In some embodiments, on the opposite side of the ridge 310 from thefirst dip 320, the key 222 may have a chamfered edge 350. The chamferededge 350 serves to create space between the touchable surfaces ofadjacent keys 222, and generally cooperate with the second dip 340 froman adjacent key 222 to create extra space between the two keys 222, thusproviding a good tactile response that helps the user distinguishbetween adjacent keys 222.

The above-described shape of the keys 222 can provide a generally cleartactile feeling to a user's finger or thumb. In particular, the tactilesensations produced by the keys 222 with the surface profiles asdescribed herein may provide a user with a good feel of key locationsand may assist in distinguishing one key from another.

Furthermore, the surface profile of the keys 222 as described herein canprovide good finger or thumb support such that the finger or thumb willtend not to have a lot of pressure overlap on other adjacent keys 222 orthe bounding surface of keypad 220.

In particular, the ridge 310 tends to create a high or elevated surfacefor clear identification of key location (e.g. by a user's thumb).Furthermore, the surface provided by the first dip 320 and rise 330 isrelatively flat and tends to be comfortable for a finger or thumb topress repeatedly.

In some embodiments, the shape provided by the combination of the ridge310, the first dip 320 and the rise 330 is complementary to shape of theuser's thumb or finger (or both).

In some embodiments the combination of the ridge 310, the first dip 320and the rise 330 is ergonomic.

As discussed above, in some embodiments, the ridge 310 may be offset toa side of the key 222 (e.g. away from the midline M) of each key. Thismay help provide a sufficiently large and relatively flat surface on thekey 222 such that a graphic can be displayed on the key 222 (e.g. one ormore alphanumeric symbols). If instead the ridge 310 was provided in themiddle of the key 222 (e.g. on the midline M), it would tend to break upthe surface of the key 222 into two halves and the size of the graphicmay be limited, or else the ridge 310 may distort the graphic.

In some embodiments, the ridge 310 may have a height that varies alongits length (e.g. between the upper edge and the lower edge). In someembodiments, the ridge 310 may be highest at an end of the key 222closest to the display 206 (e.g. the upper edge of the key 222).

In various embodiments, the two columns of keys 222 on the extreme rightand left side of the device 200 (e.g. the keys 222 b and 222 c) may nothave the second dip 340. This may be done so as to raise the surface ofthe key 222 as high as possible as compared to any adjacent surfaces(such as for example a wear strip 313, bounding surface or other part ofthe housing) that may surround the keys 222 of the keypad 220. This canbe seen by inspection of the key 222 b in the most negative x and zposition (e.g. the upper left corner of the keypad 220) in FIG. 13 incomparison to the other keys 222 in FIG. 13.

In some embodiments, the spacebar 222 a may have a lower edge 222 d thatfaces the above-mentioned wear strip 313. In some embodiments, this edge222 d may be chamfered in order to create extra space between thespacebar key 222 a and the wear strip 313. In some embodiments, keys 222other than the spacebar 222 a may have a chamfered edge.

Generally, the keys 222 can comprise any suitable material. In someembodiments, the keys 222 comprise a FIP film with a Polycarbonate (PC)or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) back fill.

Generally, the keys 222 can have any suitable height (the term“thickness” can also be used instead of height). Both these termsgenerally refer to a measure of a distance along a y-axis, based on thecoordinate system as shown in FIG. 13.

In some embodiments, the keys 222 have a thickness of approximately 1.30mm at their highest point (e.g. at the highest point on the ridge 310).In some embodiments, the keys 222 have a thickness of greater than 1.30mm at their highest point. In some embodiments, the keys 222 have athickness of less than 1.30 mm at their highest point.

The embodiments described herein, while illustrated as a slider device,can cover other devices such as, for example, devices that are notsliders and do not have touch screens (e.g. flip phones, “candybar”phones, etc.)

While the above description provides examples of one or more processesor apparatuses, it will be appreciated that other processes orapparatuses may be within the scope of the accompanying claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A keypad for a portable electronic devicecomprising: a plurality of keys, at least some of the plurality of keyshaving: a ridge that extends upwardly from a top surface of the key, theridge extending between a lower edge of the key and an upper edge of thekey and being curved therebetween, the entirety of the ridge beingoffset from a midline of the key; a chamfered edge adjacent the ridge,the chamfered edge being on the same side of the midline of the key asthe ridge; a first concave dip adjacent the ridge on the side of the keyopposite the chamfered edge; a convex rise adjacent the first concavedip; and a second dip adjacent the convex rise, the second dip extendingto a further edge of the key; wherein the convex rise peaks between thefirst concave dip and the second concave dip.
 2. The keypad according toclaim 1, wherein the chamfered edge cooperates with a second dip from anadjacent key to create extra space between two adjacent keys.
 3. Thekeypad according to claim 2, wherein the second dip is on a side of theadjacent key opposite a chamfered edge of the adjacent key.
 4. Thekeypad according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the ridges has aheight that varies along its length.
 5. The keypad according to claim 1,wherein at least one key has two ridges on more than one side of thekey.
 6. The keypad according to claim 1, wherein the keypad is providedon a base portion of the portable electronic device, the device furtherincluding a sliding portion configured for sliding relative to the basebetween an open configuration and a closed configuration.
 7. A portableelectronic device comprising: a keypad having a plurality of keys, atleast some of the plurality of keys having: a ridge that extendsupwardly from a top surface of the key, the ridge extending between alower edge of the key and an upper edge of the key and being curvedtherebetween, the entirety of the ridge being offset from a midline ofthe key; a chamfered edge adjacent the ridge, the chamfered edge beingon the same side of the midline of the key as the ridge; a first concavedip adjacent the ridge on the side of the key opposite the chamferededge; a convex rise adjacent the first concave dip; and a second dipadjacent the convex rise, the second dip extending to a further edge ofthe key; wherein the convex rise peaks between the first concave dip andthe second concave dip.
 8. The portable electronic device according toclaim 7, wherein the chamfered edge cooperates with a second dip from anadjacent key to create extra space between two adjacent keys.
 9. Theportable electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the dip is on aside of the adjacent key opposite a chamfered edge of the adjacent key.10. The portable electronic device according to claim 7, wherein atleast one of the ridges has a height that varies along its length. 11.The portable electronic device according to claim 7, wherein at leastone key has two ridges on more than one side of the key.
 12. Theportable electronic device according to claim 7, further comprising: abase portion having the keypad provided thereon; and a sliding portioncoupled to the base portion and slideable relative thereto between aclosed position wherein the keypad is covered by the sliding portion andan open position wherein the keypad is exposed.